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A few reflections of my early life by Dr. Richard Talbot MBE, M.Phil, F.R.Hist.S.
My father was a foreman baker, mother a housewife – I was one of three children and elder brother Frank by five years and my identical twin brother John. Until the age of eleven we lived in a small terraced rented house number 30, Fielding Street, Stoke and, like everyone else in the street the early post war period in comparison with today can only be described as abstract poverty – food rationing, dolly-tub and mangle, only a cold-water tap, all hot water boiled on the gas stove. Luck would have it that my aunt in Fletcher Road had a bathroom so every Sunday we all went for our weekly bath. When John and I were small we shared the bath together to save hot water as in those days it was heated by back-boiler to a coal fire. The rest of the week was a stand-up wash in a brown vitreous kitchen sink – “don’t come in mam I am having a wash”.
My elder brother Frank and my brother and I in a special twin pram outside our home in Fielding Street. |
We had an outside ducket lavatory at the bottom of the yard. Our Saturday job was to cut up old newspapers and thread them with string to hang on a nail behind the lavatory door and another job was to go to the gas works in Whieldon Road every Saturday morning during the winter months pushing an old pram to fetch a hundredweight of coke to supplement the coal which was on ration. I even used to go to Stoke market to collect wooden apple boxes to chop up into sticks for lighting of fires, then knock at doors nearby in the hope of a sale for a few pence. No doubt in those days, my mother would have gone short so father, the bread winner, and the children were looked after first, and guess mother frequently went without. It was a time of make do and mend; nothing went to waste. The only treat was 6d on a Saturday morning to go to the childrens’ matinee at the Majestic Cinema in Stoke.
I think I am on the right and my twin brother John to the left at the nursery aged four.
My first experience of school was at Field House Nursery in London Road opposite what was All Saint’s Church where John and I were I think I am on the right and my twin brother John to the left at the nursery aged four.baptised, and remarkably I still retain a few memories of those days. From there I attended Boothen Infants School at the top of All Saints Road, Miss Wayte was the head teacher and more than once I would receive a slap at the top of my legs for doing something or another. From there, crossing the playground I attended Boothen Junior School until the age of eleven – gas lighting and one large coal fire in the classroom. The playground was just black cinders. It was here that I took my 11 plus – in fairness I did not really understand what it was all about and failed – no grammar school for me!
After Boothen I went to St. Peters C of E Boys Senior School in Boothen Old Road, situated in the shadow of the old Boothen-End stand of the Victoria Ground. Like all non-grammar school children, we were taught to a reasonable standard where woodwork and gardening was a bonus to the standard academic subjects. I was in the A stream but always found myself in the lower half where results were concerned. I first became a class monitor, then a prefect and became responsible for running around the school with a handbell to notify change of lesson etc. and looked after the school garden during the six weeks’ holiday.
Did I excel – certainly not. Struggled with English comprehension and literature. In fairness, and to my shame probably unable to write a couple of paragraphs without loads of spelling and grammatical errors. At fifteen I left school with my final report consisting of ‘fair’ or ‘average’ and ‘could do better’. I recall I did well in algebra and good in woodwork and gardening. Mr Sims was our teacher for those two subjects and did well under his guidance. Nevertheless, I have so many fond memories of my four years there and was presented on the last prize day with a book called ‘Boys Companion’ for services to the school which were many. The only prize I ever received in my life.
From school, I went to work as an apprentice electrician at Barnett & Soans, electrical contractors in South Wolfe Street, Stoke, then as a showroom assistant at the MEB followed by several other mundane jobs until I became something that I always hoped for to become self-employed as printer in my mid-30s until I retired at the age of fifty-eight. I love being my own boss, but hours were long with only ten days off a year to take my family on holiday in a cherished Morris Minor.
At the age of eleven I became a member of the St. John Ambulance Cadets and at the age of twenty-four became the youngest Divisional Superintendent in the country. Then at the age twenty-five I married Susan, an accomplished pianist, and a leading light in local amateur dramatics from the age of sixteen. We have one daughter, Elizabeth, who has followed in her mother’s footsteps and herself an established musician in her own rite. Later in life I became both Chairman, Business and Publicity Manager of the Stoke Amateur Operatic Society presenting full scale musicals at what is now The Regent Theatre, a building that I gained the status of Grade 11* with English Heritage which ultimately protected it from demolition and worked constantly to have it restored into what we have today. It was during those years, guided by experiences businessmen I learned such a lot about not only life expectations, but importantly how to conduct myself in business of business contracts, and all from A – Z regarding hire of theatres, orchestras and just about everything else connected to presenting a musical as such a large venue as what was the Gaumont cinema where every piece of equipment had to be imported.
At the age of twenty-three I had published by first book, The Church and Ancient Parish of Stoke-upon-Trent and yes via a bank-loan for I think of £270 from the Nat West in Stoke. They must have thought I was worth the risk! A further three or four followed until my last book The Royal Manor of Penkhull which contains over three-hundred thousand words – the largest book ever written in North Staffordshire. I think the total now stands at six books, plus three ninety-minute history videos.
The problem I found was that I was always referred to as an amateur historian which I felt did not accurately reflect all that I knew about history. The only way to change this was to obtain a degree, so in my early forties believing in myself I applied to do a Master’s at Keele. But what chance did I have to be even accepted – only three O Levels, no A levels and no first degree – no chance but by this time I think I had published either three or four history books. At my interview to my surprise, they were all there in front of me being examined by the Head of History. Based on these I was immediately accepted on the course, even without any formal qualifications, and became rather nervous on what I had committed too. Three years later I was awarded a Master of Philosophy degree – ‘what me – unbelievable’ – as I had left school at fifteen where I could hardly put three sentences together and here, I was with a top degree, it was mind-blowing!
Loads of community work followed, in fact all my life including saving the Regent Theatre from certain demolition and helping to create the Cultural Quarter, to promote the best of the Arts in the City. Then two years to my utter surprise was awarded an MBE for ‘Services to the Community of Stoke-on-Trent’. Where did this recognition come from? I had no idea and was almost in a state of shock. I had done nothing special I thought, I just did what I enjoyed being involved working in the community.
So, what has been my driving force, and at what point in my life did I suddenly get this passion to succeed in my chosen subject? There was no flash of lightening, no out of life experience but it was more like there was always something I always wanted to find out and build upon, one little success after another. I see it as finally reaching my goal in life. History became a serious pastime. Like others, I discovered that the fundamental objective of education is to change lives, to empower, to illuminate, to reach a person’s maximum potential and to inspire others. Education, I discovered, enables a far greater appreciation of almost everything around us, a better understanding of life and its intricacies and a far better ability to communicate with one another.
Education
My Education from the Age of Four
Richard was born in Fielding Street, Stoke, close to Boothen. At the age of four, he attended Field House Nursery in London Road, Boothen, almost opposite where Boothen Church once stood.
From there, along with his twin brother John, he crossed the road to Boothen Infants School, under the headship of Miss W. Wayte. Richard recalls several memories of the school, including an occasion when Miss Wayte caught him in one of the old air-raid shelters being used to store P.E. equipment. For this, he received a smack on the top of his leg, something that would certainly not be permitted today. Surprisingly, later in life, while attending St. Peter’s Church in Stoke, Richard became good friends with Miss Wayte, who also attended the church and served for many years as parish treasurer.
Twins Richard and John at Field House Nursery, c. 1948.
From around the age of seven, Richard crossed the playground to All Saints’ Junior School, where he enjoyed the next four years of his education. He later recalled his memories of Boothen in articles first published in The Way We Were in the Sentinel newspaper, which are now available on this website. Despite enjoying every minute of junior school and remaining in the A stream, his annual school reports frequently placed him below the halfway mark. He often felt embarrassed handing those reports to his parents, particularly when they contained the familiar comment, ‘Richard could do better.’
Boothen School, c. 1953. Richard is third from the right on the back row.
Richard then attended St. Peter’s Boys Secondary Modern School in Boothen Old Road, standing in the shadow of the Boothen End at Stoke City’s Victoria Ground. Here he was at his happiest, particularly when helping to look after the school allotments during the six-week summer holidays. He became a class monitor and milk monitor and was responsible for ringing the school bell at the beginning and end of lessons and playtimes. He even found time to put the kettle on the gas stove in the staff room, ready for the teachers’ arrival. Richard remembers the staff and headteachers with great affection, despite the practice of administering six strokes of the cane when deemed necessary.
The biggest surprise came during his final year at the annual school prize day, attended by parents. Richard stood watching as academic, sporting and other achievement prizes were presented, regretting that he had never received a prize himself. Then, unexpectedly, his name was called. The staff had decided to introduce a special award for Services to the School, recognising his many contributions, including giving up his time during the summer holidays. Richard proudly stepped forward to receive his prize. Nevertheless, his final school report still carried the familiar assessment ‘Could do better’, apart from subjects such as woodwork, gardening and a few others.
Reflections on My Education
Reflecting on my education, having left St. Peter’s Boys Secondary Modern School in December 1959 at the age of fifteen, I recently rediscovered my final school report. I find it almost unbelievable that my academic achievements at the time were so modest.
The only subject in which I received a rating of ‘Good’ was Religious Knowledge. In other subjects, my results were described as ‘Fair’, ‘Fairly Good’ or ‘Average’. Throughout my school years, the familiar comment ‘Could do better’ appeared regularly.
Yet, by the age of eighteen, I had developed a passion for history that would remain with me throughout my life. That enthusiasm eventually led me to study as a mature student at Keele University, where I gained an M.Phil., and subsequently at the University of Leicester, where I achieved a PhD researching the Victorian Poor Law.
To have reached such an academic level after leaving school at fifteen without a single O-level qualification is something I find extraordinary. I sometimes wonder whether any other former pupil of St. Peter’s Boys School went on to achieve a doctorate.
My educational journey demonstrates how discovering a subject that genuinely inspires you can transform your life. It was my passion for history and determination to learn that enabled me to achieve what once seemed impossible.
Working Life and the Discovery of History
Upon leaving school, Richard became an apprentice electrician at Barnett and Soans in South Wolfe Street, Stoke. His earliest responsibilities included sweeping floors, collecting chips on Fridays and regularly tending the coke boiler. Although he progressed to more demanding work, he was unhappy at being addressed only by his surname, with instructions such as ‘Talbot, do this’ and ‘Talbot, do that’, rather than by his first name.
After approximately two years, he left to work at an Electricity Board showroom in Hanley, later moving to Stoke. Over the following years, Richard held a number of jobs, usually changing roles after a few years in search of fresh challenges. Eventually, in his mid-thirties, he purchased a run-down letterpress printing business in London Road. He modernised the premises and introduced litho-offset printing equipment. Richard ran the business for many years, eventually retiring at the age of fifty-eight as the industry increasingly moved towards computers.
Richard’s interest in history began around the age of eighteen when he was lent a small wartime publication, The History of Penkhull, written by the Rev. V. G. Aston, Vicar of Penkhull, to celebrate the centenary of St. Thomas’s Church in 1942.
Rather than concentrating on kings, queens and major national events, Aston wrote about ordinary people, their way of life, local shops and the history of their community. Richard found this approach fascinating. He had discovered a subject that gave him real purpose and became determined to learn more, researching and writing local history.
The closing words of Aston’s book, ‘Some other person must continue my work’, seemed almost like a personal message to Richard. He accepted that challenge, which has inspired his historical research and writing ever since. His first book was published in 1969.
His interest developed further through regular historical broadcasts on BBC Radio Stoke and frequent contributions to The Way We Were in the Sentinel. Although often described as ‘amateur historian Richard Talbot’, he felt that the description did not reflect the depth of his knowledge and research. Determined to gain formal academic recognition, he enrolled at Keele University as a mature student and obtained an M.Phil. three years later.
Academic Achievements
Following the publication of his major work, The Royal Manor of Penkhull, in 2010, a substantial volume containing more than 300,000 words, Richard decided to return to academic study. He was accepted by the University of Leicester to undertake doctoral research into the Victorian Poor Law.
Completing his PhD became one of the greatest challenges and proudest achievements of his life. Having left school at fifteen without any O-levels, Richard believes his parents would have been immensely proud to see him graduate.
Community Work and Recognition
Richard receives his MBE from Prince Charles, July 2014.
Alongside his historical research and writing, Richard has made significant contributions to the community of Stoke-on-Trent. Among his achievements was his campaign to restore and reopen the 1929 Art Deco Gaumont cinema in Hanley as the Regent Theatre, restoring its original name and bringing an important cultural landmark back into public use.
This achievement, together with his many other contributions to local heritage and community life, was recognised with the award of an MBE. Richard received the honour at Buckingham Palace from the then Prince of Wales, himself a keen historian.
Despite having been retired for more than twenty years, Richard continues to pursue his lifelong interest in history through research, writing, talks, publications and teaching. For around twelve years, he also taught a local history class based in Penkhull.
Published Works
- The Church and Ancient Parish of Stoke (1969)
- The History of Penkhull with Boothen (1971)
- Stoke Old and New (1977)
- Fenton: The Town Arnold Bennett Forgot (1977)
- Penkhull Remembered Again (1980)
- The Royal Manor of Penkhull (2010)
- A History of the Newcastle and Potteries Theatre, Built 1788–2023
- Dinah Crick – A Life Well Lived (published online, 2026)
An Extraordinary Educational Journey
Dr Richard Talbot’s educational journey, from Boothen Infants School to achieving a doctorate at the University of Leicester, is a story of determination, perseverance and a lifelong passion for learning.
Despite leaving secondary modern school at fifteen with modest academic results and the recurring assessment ‘Could do better’, he went on to achieve the highest level of academic qualification. His story demonstrates that an unremarkable start in formal education need never determine what a person can accomplish later in life.